The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-08
MRS. LIVERMORE In THE WAR.

| 1HeOlVu w ar na0 come. when Abra-
ham Lincoln's call for seventy five
thousand men was eagerly responded
to, Mrs. Livermore was in Boston, and
saw the troops, all unused to hardship,
start for the battle-fields. The streets
were crowded with tens of thousands.
Bells rang, bands played, and women
smiled and said good-by when their
hearts were breaking. After the train
moved out of the station, four women
tainted. Nature could no longer bear
the terrible strain. Mrs. Livermore
helped restore them to consciousness.
She had no sons to send but, when
such partings were seen and such sor-
rows were in the future, she could not
rest.
What could women do to help In the
dreadful struggle? A meeting of New
YORK ladies was called, which resulted
in the formation of an aid society, pledg-
ing loyalty to the government and prom
Using assistance to soldiers and their
families. Two gentlemen were sent to
Washington to ask what work could be
done; but word came back that there
was no place for women at the front,
no need for them in the hospitals. Such
words were worse than wasted on Amer
lean women. Since the day when men
and women together breasted the storms
OF New England in the MAY
and together planted new civilization,
together they have worked side by side
in all great matters. They were untir-
ing in the Revolutionary War. They
worked faithfully in the dark days of
anti-slavery agitation, taking their very
lives in their hands. And now their
husbands and sons and brothers had
gone from their homes. They would
die on battle-felds and in lonely camps,
INTENDED; and the women simply said,
"Some of us must follow our best be-
loved"
The United States Sanitary Commits
sion was soon organized for working in
hospitals, looking after camps, and pro-
viding comforts for the soldiers. Branch
associations were formed in ten large
cities. The great Northwestern branch
was put under the leadership of Mrs.
Livermore and Mrs A. H. Hoge. Use
full things began to pour in from all
over the country, fruits, clothing, bed
ding, and all needed comforts for the
army. Then Mrs. Livermore, woman
of forty, with great executive ability,
warm heart, courage, and perseverance,
with few others went to Washington
to talk with President Lincoln.
"Can no women go to the 'front.'" they
asked.
mo civilian, either man or woman,
is permitted by law" said Mr.. Lincoln;
but the great heart of the greatest man
in America was superior to the law.
and he placed not straw in their way.
He was in favor Of anything which
helped the men who fought and bled for
their country.
Mrs. Livermore's first broad expert
ence in the war was after the battle of
Fort Donelson. There were no hospi-
tails for the meT, and the wounded
were hauled down the hillside in rough
board Tennessee wagons, most of them
dying before they reached st. Louis.
Some poor fellows lay with the frozen
earth around them, chopped out after
lying in the mud from Saturday morn
ing until Sunday evening. One blue
eyed lad of nineteen, wish beth legs and
both arms shattered, when asked, How
did it happen that you were left SO
long ?" said, "Why, you see they
couldn't stop to bother with US, be-
cause they had to take the fort. When
they took it, we forgot our sufferings;
and, all over the battlefield, cheers
went up from the wounded, and even
from the dying"
At the rear of the battle-ields, the
Sanitary Commission now began to
keep its wagons, with hot soup and hot
coffee, women, fifty chosen, always
joining in this work, in the midst of
danger. After the first repulse at Vicks-
burgh, there was great sickness and
suffering. The Commission sent Mrs.
Hoge, two gentlemen accompanying
her, with boat-load of supplies for
the sick. One emaciated soldier to
whom she gave little package of white
sugar with lemon, some green tea,
two behring's, two onions, and some
pepper, said, us that all for me ?' She
bowed assent. She said : HE covered
his pinched face with his thin hands,
and burst into low, sobbing cry. 1
laid my hand upon his shoulder, and
said, why do you weep?' God bless
the women p he sobbed out. What
should we do but for themp I came
from fathers farm, where all knew
plenty. I've lain sick these three
months. I've seen no woman's face,
nor heard her voice, nor felt her hand
till to-day; and it humans me. But
don't think l rue my bargain, for
don't. I've suffered much and long,
but don't let them know it at home.